So, by now, you must have heard about the FBI's wiretapping problems

[xiphias]

They had a bunch of their wiretaps cut off, because they didn't pay their phone bills.

I'm serious.

But I'm not THAT surprised, because of a story that a friend told me in college. Those of you who were in RD House probably remember this one. . .

So, this friend came from a family that had been involved in activist causes for, well, forever. (Her mother was a hack writer -- that was the job description she gave. She wrote TRU-CRIME books, had had a column in "Soldier of Fortune", that sort of thing.) Anyway, they were pretty certain that their phone was tapped by the FBI. Partially because of the sort of double-click when they answered the phone, the tape-recorder kind of sound. . .

Anyway, they didn't mind too much, because they figured that, if there was a problem, they could just pick up the phone and get the FBI there in just a couple minutes.

Eventually, they decided that, if the FBI was using their phone line, the FBI should pay for it. They called the phone company and said that they were being charged private line rates for a party line.

The phone company agreed, and reduced their monthly phone bill.

Comments

[noveldevice.livejournal.com]

That is entirely awesome. :)

[ckd]

I just love how it eviscerates the argument for retroactive immunity for telcos.

"They were just doing their patriotic duty! You can't punish them for that!"

"It's only their duty until the bills are due? Some 'patriots' they are."

[sethg]

You just can't get customer service like that any more, since they broke up AT&T....

[rebmommy.livejournal.com]

Is this a true story? I hope it is!

[zachkessin.livejournal.com]

Plus if you forget your point you can just say "Where was I again" and the nice FBI Man will let you know what you were talking about. ;)